Post

From USAFA Folklore

Post is a command given by upper class cadets to fourth class cadets for the purpose of ending some activity. Some rumors suggest it is actually an acronym for "Presence Of Subordinate Terminated".

[edit] Greeting

The "Post" command was most commonly given by an upper class cadet to a fourth class cadet if the upper class cadet did not want to be greeted. The command could be verbal (the upper class cadet would actually say, "Post!") or done in the form of a hand gesture: a "V" made with the index and middle fingers, with the palm facing the body in a kind of reversed peace sign. Some upper class cadets extrapolated this gesture by saying, "Two," which meant the fourth class cadets were to post. Occasionally stories would arise of cadets returning from Ops who were posted by grads--usually when they tried to do something silly like call the room to attention for a lieutenant.

[edit] Meals

For at least some time in the Academy's history, "Post!" was also a command given by the table commandant for the fourth class cadets to leave the table after they were done eating. On the command "Post", the fourth class cadets at the table would respond "Excuse me please. Good morning/afternoon/evening, Sir/Ma'am." The fourth class cadets then proceeded to perform a short skit, sing a song, or do something else entertaining or poking fun at one of the upper class cadets at the table. The post was meant to be an exercise in teamwork and communication between fourth class cadets and a chance to blow off a little steam. At some point, posting at meals was done away with because the skits and songs started becoming too distasteful.